Worship Ministry Communication

Three helpful keys to building a healthy worship and media team:

1. Invest in your team — It’s easy to take what has worked in the past and make it the rule to follow indefinitely. Whether it is the order of service, sound board settings or arrangements of favorite songs, it’s easy to just stick with what works. But let me encourage you to push yourself and your team to think creatively and continue to refine the skills that it takes to communicate the Gospel clearly through music and media. This can be done through master classes, online training resources and many other resources such as consultations from your state Mission Board team. If you invest in your team, your team will invest in your ministry and the Gospel will be proclaimed with clarity, conviction and zeal. Invest in their skills through training and invest in their souls through discipleship.

2. Cross-train positions and learn to speak each other’s language — Many have experienced the frustration of stage-to-booth communication and too often this dynamic builds division rather than unity. In my experience, this division stems from a lack of cross-training and mutual understanding. An audio engineer often doesn’t know how isolating it feels to not be able to clearly monitor a voice or instrument. Conversely, a worship leader/band member often thinks that a sound guy is mindlessly punching buttons and all noises and feedback are his fault. Taking the time to cross-train your team will allow these teams to communicate more clearly, accurately and intelligently with each other.

3. Ask for and give specific feedback to your team— There are some great resources available that address the importance of feedback within an organization, and church ministry is no exception. If you, as a leader, desire the kind of influence with your team that allows you to shape and change your ministry while having the full support of your teams, then open yourself up to feedback. Ask for their feedback. Ask questions like, “what do you think I can do to lead this team more effectively?” It may hurt a little at first, but I believe that it is key for personal leadership growth and establishing the kind of communication with your team that will move the organization forward. People want to know that they are being heard — then they will listen.